
Because of that book pictured above, “One Way Out” by Alan Paul, I have gotten turned on to the Allman Brothers music. I mean… REALLY TURNED ON. Because of that book, I fucking love the Allman Brothers now. Before I read that book, I was never much of an Allman Brothers fan. I mean… don’t get me wrong… I’ve heard a lot of their hits on the radio over the years but I’ve never bought their records.
This book above is recommended reading for any music lover or if you’re a fan of the Allman Brothers yourself. It gives a detailed look on the history of the Allmans. It gives you everything. From their formation to where they are now. Duane Allman was an important member to them ’cause he was the one who started the band but sadly his career with them didn’t last too long due to his death when they just released the “Fillmore East” live album… that was at the start of their fame too.
The book doesn’t just try to make the band look good like any typical band biography. This book even talks about the negative stuff and all the setbacks the Allman Brothers went through over the years. They went through heated feuds with the members most notably the heated feud between Greg Allman and Dicky Betts. Dicky is no longer with the Allman Bros. ’cause they hate each other.
It was an interesting history of a legendary band. Thanks to this book, I purchased 7 albums from the Allman Brothers: “Self titled debut”, “Eat A Peach”, “At The Fillmore East”, “Brothers and Sisters”, “IdleWind South” and “Where It All Begins”. I’ve become obsessed with their music as you can see. I’m gonna collect their entire discography, I think. I’m beginning to think that the Allman Brothers are my second favorite band right behind Led Zeppelin now. I can’t stop listening to the Allman Brothers. One thing though, this band have been unfairly been labeled as Southern Rock and I don’t they’re Southern Rock at all. The Allman Brothers to me is a blues/jazz band with a crossover of rock n’ roll. They throw in some country music sometimes too. They’re mostly a blues/jazz band, though.
I have total respect for Gregg Allman and Duane is now one of my favorite guitarists of all time. The other guitarists who played in the band are great too like Dicky Betts, Derek Trucks and others. Dicky Betts wrote most of the material of the Allmans over the years. Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks are pretty much the new leaders of the Allmans now. I don’t think Dicky will ever reunite with the band but ya never know. Never say never. Dicky was an important member of the band too ’cause he wrote most of the band’s important songs.
I fuckin’ love the Allmans. I’m dying to get my chance to see them live now so if they ever play a concert here again someday, I’ll make sure I’ll go. That book is recommended reading. After reading that book, makes me want to read Greg Allman’s memoir, “My Cross To Bear” which I will read soon. They have a pretty interesting history.
I know the Allman’s recently played a series of shows at the Beacon in NYC but Greg couldn’t play one of them ’cause he was suffering bronchitis. The Allman Brothers rock and can’t get enough of their music. I want more.
Kev